Download the January/February 2010 PDF - Pond Trade Magazine

unless the flower is really special, I try to
avoid this. For instance, the fact that N.
‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ produces so many
flowers in a day makes up for its plain
green leaf. I have had one next to a
specimen of N. ‘Foxfire’ this summer, and
it has been nice.
Foliage colors also play a role in
marginal plantings. Leaves are usually
more of a textural element, but many are
colored, some subtlety, Thalia dealbata,
while others are more obviously
different, Colocasia ‘Black Magic’. In a
mix of broad-leafed plants, such as
Thalia geniculata, Pontederia chordata,
and Acrostichum aureum, a dark leafed
Taro can add a welcome accent, even
without flowers. Even in the shaded
corner in the photo, the dark leaf is
made vivid by the presence of the
other plants.
Indeed, in shaded situations,
sometimes the only thing that we can
depend upon is foliage. Many of our
common bog plants simply won’t
bloom, or are prone to grow weakly, but
some thrive in shade, and can be used to
great advantage. Ferns, Zantedeschia,
Saururus, Colocasia, and Caltha can all
brighten a shady spot that might
otherwise, God forbid, go unfilled.
Regardless of the situation, there is
a plant, or a combination of plants, that
will fill any void with color and interest.
A bit of careful thought will give good
results, which always makes it easier for
my clients to write that maintenance
check each month. And that is a
beautiful thing, indeed. a
Taro, Thalia in shaded area.
The height of a plant needs to be considered too. Canna
can be very tall and should be placed accordingly.
About
the Author
David Curtright
He is also the current President
of the Southern California Water
Garden Society.
www.pondplants.com
January/February 2010
POND Trade Magazine
29